Sent in by Veterans News and Information Services
WASHINGTON -- White Sands Missile Range, N.M., is seeking
military and civilian participants from throughout DoD for
its 11th annual Bataan Memorial Death March April 18, 1999.
The largest military memorial march in the country
recognizes the sacrifices of thousands of U.S. and Filipino
service members overwhelmed by the Japanese in the
Philippines during World War II. More than 1,900 marchers
participated in the 1998 memorial event.
The course covers 25 miles of southern New Mexico desert
ranging in elevation from 4,100 to 5,300 feet above sea
level. The route crosses hilly terrain, winds around a
small mountain and returns to the main post through sandy
trails and washes.
Active and reserve component and retired members, ROTC
cadets and civilians can compete in light and heavy
divisions as individuals and team. All heavy division
marchers carry a 35-pound rucksack; light division entrants
do not. Military marchers in both divisions are required to
wear full field gear other than the rucksack; civilians
should wear appropriate attire for a desert road march,
White Sands officials said.
Teams may consist of up to seven people, but at least five
must cross the finish line together within a 10-yard gate.
Team categories include male civilian light, female
civilian light, male military light, female military light,
male military heavy, female military heavy, Junior ROTC
military light, coed civilian light, coed military light,
coed military heavy, ROTC light, ROTC heavy, National Guard
light and National Guard heavy.
Individual categories are male light, male military light,
male military over 40 light, male military heavy, male over
40 light, female light, female military light, female
military over 40 light, female military heavy and female
over 40 light.
Top three winners in each category will receive medals. The
first National Guard team and the first ROTC team to finish
will receive traveling trophies.
Team fee is $100 for entries postmarked by April 1, 1999,
or $130 thereafter. Individual fees are $20 and $30,
respectively. The fee includes souvenir T-shirts and an
informal meal during the closing ceremony. Make checks
payable to IMWRF and mail to:
Bataan Memorial Death March
Applications and other march information will be posted on The White Sands Website as it
becomes available, or call the public affairs office at (505) 678-1134 or DSN 258-1134.
American Forces Press Service
Community Recreation Division
P.O. Box 400
White Sands Missile Range, NM 88002.
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